Word Studies¶

kohen - H3548¶

Original: כֹּהֵן Transliteration: kohen (ko-hane) Definition: Active participle of H3547 (kahan); one who officiates, a priest; also by extension a chief ruler or principal officer

Translations¶

"the priest" — 336x (43.2%)
"the priests" — 147x (18.9%)
"priest" — 48x (6.2%)
Total: 777 occurrences across 78 unique translations
Non-priestly usages: "chief rulers" (1x, 2 Sam 8:18), "principal officer" (1x), "princes" (1x)

Key Verses¶

Gen 14:18 — First occurrence: Melchizedek "was the priest of the most high God"
Exo 19:6 — "a kingdom of priests" — national priestly calling
Exo 28:1 — Aaron and sons appointed to priest's office
Lev 21:10 — "he that is the high priest among his brethren"
Psa 110:4 — "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek"
Zech 3:1,8 — Joshua the high priest, type of the BRANCH
Zech 6:11,13 — "a priest upon his throne" — king-priest union

LXX Connection¶

H3548 kohen -> G2409 hiereus: 623 occurrences (PMI 5.06) — the overwhelming standard translation. The Hebrew priestly vocabulary maps directly to the Greek vocabulary used in Hebrews.

Significance¶

The word kohen derives from the verb kahan (H3547), meaning "to mediate in religious service." The priest is fundamentally a MEDIATOR — one who stands between God and the people. The 777 occurrences span from the pre-Mosaic priesthood (Melchizedek, Jethro) through the Levitical institution to the prophetic priesthood of Zechariah's visions.

kahan - H3547¶

Original: כָּהַן Transliteration: kahan (kaw-han) Definition: A primitive root meaning to mediate in religious services; to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia (deck)

Translations¶

"in the priest's office" — 10x (28.6%)
"to minister in the priest's office" — 5x (14.3%)
"that he may minister" — 4x (11.4%)
Total: 35 occurrences across 14 translations

Key Verses¶

Exo 28:1 — "that he may minister unto me in the priest's office" (lekahen li)
Exo 29:1 — "to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office" (leqaddesh otam lekahen li)
Isa 61:10 — "as a bridegroom decketh himself" — figurative: priestly adorning
Hos 4:6 — "thou shalt be no priest to me" — disqualification from priestly service

Significance¶

The Piel infinitive construct lekahen ("to serve as priest") appears in Exo 29:1 paired with leqaddesh ("to consecrate") — consecration is the prerequisite; priestly ministry is the purpose. The figurative use in Isa 61:10 ("decketh" = putting on priestly regalia) connects priestly robing to bridal imagery.

archiereus - G749¶

Original: ἀρχιερεύς Transliteration: archiereús (ar-khee-er-yuce) Definition: From arche (G746, chief/first) + hiereus (G2409, priest); the high priest

Translations¶

"chief priests" — 47x (46.1%) — plural, referring to priestly aristocracy
"high priest" — 31x (30.4%) — singular, the specific HP
"an high priest" — 7x (6.9%)
Total: 102 occurrences across 11 translations

Key Hebrews Occurrences¶

Heb 2:17 — "a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people"
Heb 3:1 — "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus"
Heb 4:14 — "a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God"
Heb 5:1 — "every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God"
Heb 5:5,10 — "Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest...called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec"
Heb 6:20 — "Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec"
Heb 7:26 — "such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners"
Heb 8:1 — "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens"
Heb 9:7 — "the high priest alone once every year, not without blood"
Heb 9:11 — "Christ being come an high priest of good things to come"
Heb 9:25 — "the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others"

Significance¶

In Hebrews, archiereus is THE key Christological title. The author systematically argues that Christ is a SUPERIOR high priest: (1) from a superior order — Melchizedek, not Aaron (5:6,10; 6:20; 7:1-21); (2) with a superior qualification — sinless (7:26-27); (3) serving in a superior sanctuary — heaven (8:1-2; 9:11,24); (4) with a superior offering — His own blood (9:12); (5) with a superior duration — eternal/unchangeable (7:24-25).

hierosyne - G2420¶

Original: ἱερωσύνη Transliteration: hierōsynē (hee-er-o-soo-nay) Definition: Sacredness; the priestly office/order

Translations¶

"priesthood" — 4x (100%)

Key Verses¶

Heb 7:11 — "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood..."
Heb 7:12 — "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law"
Heb 7:14 — "[Tribe of Judah] of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood"
Heb 7:24 — "this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood"

Significance¶

All 4 occurrences are in Heb 7, the Melchizedek argument. The word emphasizes the OFFICE or ORDER of priesthood. Heb 7:12 states the critical principle: when the priesthood changes, the law must also change. The "unchangeable" (aparabatos, G531) priesthood of 7:24 means it cannot be transferred to another — Christ's priesthood is non-transferable and permanent.

Melchisedek - G3198 / Malki-Tsedeq - H4442¶

Original: Μελχισεδέκ (Greek) / מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק (Hebrew) Transliteration: Melchisedék / Malki-Tsedeq Definition: "King of righteousness" — from melek (H4428, king) + tsedeq (H6664, righteousness)

All 9 NT Occurrences¶

Heb 5:6 — "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (quoting Psa 110:4)
Heb 5:10 — "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec"
Heb 6:20 — "Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec"
Heb 7:1 — "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God"
Heb 7:10 — "he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him"
Heb 7:11 — (implied — "after the order of Melchisedec")
Heb 7:15 — "after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest"
Heb 7:17 — "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec"
Heb 7:21 — "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec"

OT Occurrences¶

Gen 14:18 — "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God"
Psa 110:4 — "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek"

Significance¶

Melchizedek uniquely combines kingship and priesthood — forbidden in Israel (kings from Judah, priests from Levi). Heb 7:2 gives the etymology: "King of righteousness" and "King of Salem = King of peace." Heb 7:3 describes him "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." This is a type: the absence of genealogy in Genesis makes him a fitting type of Christ's eternal priesthood.

millu - H4394¶

Original: מִלֻּא Transliteration: millu (mil-loo) Definition: From H4390 (male, to fill); a fulfilling — literally a setting (of gems), or technically consecration (dedicatory sacrifice). "Filling the hand."

Translations¶

"to be set" — 4x (25%, referring to gem settings)
"of consecration" — 3x (18.8%)
"of the consecration" — 2x (12.5%)
Total: 16 occurrences across 10 translations

All Occurrences¶

Exo 25:7 — stones "to be set" in ephod and breastplate (gem setting)
Exo 29:22 — "the ram of consecration" (eil ha-milluim)
Exo 29:26 — "the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration"
Exo 29:27 — "the breast of the wave offering...of the ram of the consecration"
Exo 29:31 — "thou shalt take the ram of the consecration"
Exo 29:34 — "the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread"
Exo 35:9,27 — stones "to be set" (gem setting)
Lev 7:37 — "the law of...the consecrations"
Lev 8:22 — "the ram of consecration" — the actual ceremony
Lev 8:28 — "they were consecrations for a sweet savour"
Lev 8:29 — "of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part"
Lev 8:31 — "in the basket of consecrations"
Lev 8:33 — "the days of your consecration" / "seven days shall he consecrate you"
1 Chr 29:2 — stones "to be set" (gem setting)

Significance¶

The Hebrew concept of priestly consecration is literally "filling the hands" — the priests receive the sacrificial portions placed in their hands to wave before the LORD (Exo 29:24; Lev 8:27). This physical act symbolizes receiving the authority and responsibility of the priestly office. The term has a dual meaning: (1) setting gems in their places (Exo 25:7; 35:9), and (2) consecrating/installing priests. Both involve placing something in its proper setting.

nezer - H5145¶

Original: נֶזֶר Transliteration: nezer (neh-zer) Definition: From H5144 (nazar, to separate); something set apart — dedication (of priest or Nazirite); hence unshorn locks; also a chaplet/crown (esp. of royalty)

Translations¶

"of his separation" — 8x (30.8%, Nazirite vow)
"the crown" — 5x (19.2%)
"crown" — 3x (11.5%)
"his separation" — 3x (11.5%)
Total: 26 occurrences

Key Priestly Verses¶

Exo 29:6 — "put the holy crown (nezer) upon the mitre"
Exo 39:30 — "they made the plate of the holy crown (nezer) of pure gold"
Lev 8:9 — "upon the mitre...he put the golden plate, the holy crown (nezer)"
Lev 21:12 — "the crown (nezer) of the anointing oil of his God is upon him"

Significance¶

Nezer connects three realms: priestly (the golden plate), Nazirite (consecrated hair), and royal (the king's crown). The common thread is SEPARATION — being set apart for a sacred purpose. The high priest's nezer is the golden plate inscribed "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" (Exo 28:36) — it crowns his ministry with the defining attribute of God's character.

qodesh - H6944¶

Original: קֹדֶשׁ Transliteration: qodesh (ko-desh) Definition: From H6942 (qadash); a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Translations¶

"holy" — 100x (22.1%)
"of the sanctuary" — 44x (9.7%)
"the holy" — 41x (9.1%)
Total: 452 occurrences across 90 translations

Key Priestly Verses¶

Exo 28:2 — "holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty"
Exo 28:4 — "they shall make holy garments"
Exo 28:29 — "the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place"
Exo 28:36 — "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" (qodesh la-YHWH)
Exo 28:38 — "bear the iniquity of the holy things"
Lev 16:2 — "the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat"
Lev 16:4 — "these are holy garments" (bigdei-qodesh hem)

Significance¶

Qodesh is the defining concept of the priestly system. The garments are "holy" (28:2,4); the inscription reads "holiness" (28:36); the place of service is "holy" (16:2); the DOA garments are "garments of holiness" (16:4). The priest exists at the intersection of holy and common — he mediates between the holy God and the unholy people.

bad - H906¶

Original: בַּד Transliteration: bad (bad) Definition: From root meaning divided fibres; flaxen thread/yarn; a linen garment

Translations¶

"linen" — 14x (60.9%)
"in linen" — 3x (13.0%)
"the linen" — 2x (8.7%)
Total: 23 occurrences

Key Occurrences by Category¶

Priestly/DOA Garments: - Exo 28:42 — "linen breeches to cover their nakedness" - Exo 39:28 — "linen breeches of fine twined linen" - Lev 6:10 — "the priest shall put on his linen garment" - Lev 16:4 — "holy linen coat...linen breeches...linen girdle...linen mitre" (4x in one verse) - Lev 16:23 — "put off the linen garments" - Lev 16:32 — "put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments"

Other Priestly Linen: - 1 Sam 2:18 — Samuel "girded with a linen ephod" (child serving) - 1 Sam 22:18 — 85 priests "that did wear a linen ephod" (Doeg's massacre) - 2 Sam 6:14 — David "girded with a linen ephod" (dancing before the ark) - 1 Chr 15:27 — David "clothed with a robe of fine linen"

Angelic/Visionary Figures in Linen: - Eze 9:2 — "one man among them was clothed with linen" - Eze 9:3 — "called to the man clothed with linen" - Eze 9:11 — "the man clothed with linen...reported" - Eze 10:2 — "spake unto the man clothed in linen" - Eze 10:6,7 — fire from cherubim given to man in linen - Dan 10:5 — "a certain man clothed in linen" - Dan 12:6,7 — "the man clothed in linen"

Significance¶

Bad (linen) creates a remarkable thread from the Day of Atonement to the prophetic visions. The HIGH PRIEST on the DOA wore all-white linen (Lev 16:4) — stripped of the glory garments to enter God's presence in humility. The same word describes the angelic/divine figure in Ezekiel 9-10 and Daniel 10,12 — a heavenly being performing a cleansing/judgment ministry while "clothed in linen." This connects the earthly DOA ministry directly to the heavenly ministry Christ performs.

LXX Connection¶

H906 bad maps to G4749 stole (stolē, "robe/stole") in the LXX (7 occurrences, PMI 7.10). This is significant because stole is the word used for the heavenly robes in Revelation (Rev 6:11; 7:9,13) — the white robes of the redeemed. The priestly linen of the DOA is linguistically connected to the white robes of the saints. Also maps to G1746 endyo ("to put on/clothe," 14x) — the verb of investiture.

beged - H899¶

Original: בֶּגֶד Transliteration: beged (behg-ed) Definition: From H898 (bagad, to deal treacherously); a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage

Translations¶

"his clothes" — 43x (18.4%)
"garments" — 32x (13.7%)
Total: 234 occurrences across 82 translations

Key Priestly Occurrences¶

Exo 28:2 — "holy garments (bigdei-qodesh) for Aaron"
Lev 16:23 — "put off the linen garments (bigdei ha-bad)"
Lev 16:24 — "put on his garments (begadaw)" = glory garments
Lev 16:32 — "put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments (bigdei qodesh)"
Zech 3:3 — Joshua "clothed with filthy garments (begadim tso'im)"
Zech 3:4 — "Take away the filthy garments from him...I will clothe thee with change of raiment"
Zech 3:5 — "clothed him with garments"

Significance¶

The double meaning of the root (covering + treachery) creates a linguistic tension: garments can represent righteousness covering or sinful unfaithfulness. In Zechariah 3, the filthy garments on Joshua the high priest represent the people's sin, and their removal + replacement represents divine justification — directly parallel to the DOA garment change in Lev 16.